Sunday, January 11, 2009

Mesothelioma is Deadly Cancer

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure and there are no findings to suggest that this cancer is caused by other sources. Many of the victims who are diagnosed with Mesothelioma were workers who were not forewarned of the dangers of working with asbestos. People who are diagnosed with Mesothelioma should contact a Rhode Island Mesothelioma lawyer to help them with a Mesothelioma lawsuit that can get compensation for them to help with the medical and financial bills that are a result of the diagnosis.

Mesothelioma is caused by a person inhaling or swallowing asbestos fibers that then become lodged in the body. These fibers are virtually indestructible and the body's immune system can't break them down or get rid of them. Mesothelioma is a progressive disease and many people only live for one or two years after diagnosis. Mesothelioma cancer compromises the immune system as well as the area in which the cancer has set in.

In most cases, Mesothelioma is in the membrane that surrounds the lungs, called the pleura. However, Mesothelioma can also attack the lining of the heart or the abdomen. While this type of cancer is rare, approximately 3,000 new cases are reported each year in the United States.

Any level of exposure to asbestos can cause Mesothelioma, even infrequent exposure. Para-occupational exposure, which is secondary exposure, can also leave a risk for Mesothelioma to the families of workers who work with asbestos materials. The asbestos fibers easily cling to hair, clothing, shoes and skin and are brought home, dislodged and therefore create exposure in the home.

Most cases of Mesothelioma can be traced back to asbestos exposure directly in the work place. Approximatley 20 years ago, the products that contained asbestos and asbestos materials that were used in construction and manufacturing were in high demand and used frequently, even though it was known that asbestos exposure could lead to progressive diseases such as Mesothelioma.

Throughout the Second World War, naval ship yards were fabricating many ships for the war, using a lot of asbestos in the manufacturing process. The product was used for construction in buildings and for the manufacturing of automobiles as well. Until just recently, products and processes that use asbestos were unregulated, although the risk factors were known and safety precautions could be taken. Many companies still continued to utilize asbestos in their practices.

Many of the companies who used asbestos provided very little education or protection from asbestos exposure for their workers, leaving them now on the hook for compensating the victims of this dreadful and deadly cancer.

If you or someone you love has contracted Mesothelioma, it is important to contact a Rhode Island Mesothelioma attorney to find out if you have a case justifiable for a Mesothelioma lawsuit. The biggest problem with the onset of Mesothelioma symptoms and diagnosis and the exposure to asbestos is the long period of time, approximately 20 years, between the two. This makes it difficult to diagnose the cancer as well as find the company responsible for the exposure for your Rhode Island Mesothelioma lawyer.

The symptoms of Mesothelioma include fluid in the chest, chest pains, difficulty breathing, and coughing. Because of the nature of these symptoms and the fact that they are so similar to other medical problems, they are easily mistaken for other conditions, which can delay the diagnosis of Mesothelioma cancer. For most people, the diagnosis comes much too late - conventional treatments for cancer such as radiation and chemotherapy prove to have little or no effect on the progression of Mesothelioma cancer.

The majority of victims of Mesothelioma can blame companies and bosses for whom they worked for their asbestos exposure, and many of the companies knew the dangers of working with asbestos, and still failed to take any safety measures or precautions to reduce the exposure to this toxic material for their workers. Mesothelioma is a devastating cancer to people who have it and to their families, physically, emotionally and certainly financially.

A Rhode Island Mesothelioma lawyer can help you with a Mesothelioma lawsuit for yourself or a loved one. A qualified Mesothelioma lawyer can track down those responsible for your exposure and illness and can fight with a Mesothelioma lawsuit to gain financial compensation. While the compensation is no replacement for a life, it can certainly help cover lost wages, funeral expenses, medical costs and pain and suffering that are caused by Mesothelioma.

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